By MARC MCGOWAN
STUDENT safety is at risk unless a second school crossing is put in place at Badger Creek Primary School, according to school council president Bill Chisholm.
Mr Chisholm’s comments come amid complaints about the lack of legal parking options around the school.
There is an official crossing on one side of the school on Badger Creek Road but not on the other because the road winds around the corner opposite Healesville Sanctuary.
Mr Chisholm said prep and grade one students were stationed in the new government-funded rooms in that section of Badger Creek Primary School and the most at-risk age group on roads.
“The biggest thing is there is no school crossing there, so there is no extra supervision for children,” he said.
“Most parents I see are pretty good and will cross the road with their children, but I do see other children cross over by themselves.
“There are also no 40km/h speed-limit signs, which are critical.
“People approaching from the other direction, if they’re not from the area, may not even know there’s a school there.
“They could be doing 60km/h and if a kid walks out… it’s just something we want to be proactive on and not reactive to a tragedy.”
Mr Chisholm would like to see proper parking facilities established on both sides of that part of Badger Creek Road in accordance with the school’s population growth.
He said a lack of disabled parking also needed to be addressed.
School principal Simon Prior said student safety and the way they entered and exited the school was of “great importance”.
“Reviewing how they effectively meet with parents and head off after school is something we need to make sure is supported by adequate and appropriate facilities,” Mr Prior said.
“We are currently reviewing parking around the school to make sure our students remain safe at all times.”
Karen Garth has about a two-decade association with the school through her children’s attendance and now as a casual gardener.
She said she repeatedly heard of people receiving fines for parking too close to the roundabout on the corner of the school due to legal parking being “at a premium”.
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Yarra Ranges Council’s director of environment and engineering, Mark Varmalis, said parking outside schools was a challenge in all municipalities.
“There are no opportunities for council to increase parking around Badger Creek Primary School to accommodate short-term morning and afternoon needs,” Mr Varmalis said.
“Any parking signs and restrictions, including No Parking signs, are in place to protect the safety of children.
“Parents should ensure they park in an appropriate area and do not park illegally.”
Mr Varmalis recommended school staff contact the Education Department about opportunities to construct a parking space on-site to accommodate school parents.
He said encouraging more children to walk or ride their bike to school could help as well.
Mr Varmalis also said council officers were in discussions with school staff about developing a disabled parking space on Badger Creek Rd on the southern side of the school.
